Racial Equity Advancement and Defense Initiative (READI)

We’re defending a simple and common sense idea: that naming race is strategic, just, and necessary when we’re considering the billions of dollars philanthropy moves. We’re building a coalition of people who share that vision. The ???????????? ???????????? ?????????????????????? ?????? ?????????????? ???????????????????? (??????????) is an initiative of ABFE. A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities, Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP), Hispanics in Philanthropy, and Native Americans in Philanthropy to promote, expand, and defend race-explicit grantmaking and programming. Foundations say they aren't making changes to their language or strategy, but what they say needs to show up in practice, too. That means a vocal, visible commitment to continued support and investment. READI is actively creating and distributing resources that help grantmakers remain steadfast and move in the same direction. Together, foundations could spur the largest groundswell of collective philanthropic action we’ve ever seen. You won’t be going at this alone—or unequipped. ???????????? ???????? ???????? ???? ?????????? ???????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ??????????????!

In this moment of uncertainty, philanthropy needs to move decisively, strategically, and with conviction. The Racial Equity Advancement and Defensive Initiative (READI) has developed our newest resource for race-explicit grantmakers and allies: ???????????????????????????? ?????????????? ???? ?????????????? ?????? ?????????????? ????????-???????????????? ??????????????????????, which outlines a number of different pathways to shore up racial equity commitments. These are smart, achievable, and replicable actions to better withstand current and future threats to race-explicit grantmaking and racial equity. Our communities are not asking for a reevaluation of strategy, nor that philanthropy sees around every corner. They’re asking that you deliver on funding, cut the red tape, and provide air cover—if you’re ready to meet this moment, read on. ?????????? ???????????? ???? ???????? ???????????????????????? ?????????? ???? ????????? ???????? ?????????? ?????? ???????

In this moment of uncertainty, philanthropy needs to move decisively, strategically, and with conviction. The Racial Equity Advancement and Defensive Initiative (READI) has developed our newest resource for race-explicit grantmakers and allies: ???????????????????????????? ?????????????? ???? ?????????????? ?????? ?????????????? ????????-???????????????? ??????????????????????, which outlines a number of different pathways to shore up racial equity commitments. These are smart, achievable, and replicable actions to better withstand current and future threats to race-explicit grantmaking and racial equity. Our communities are not asking for a reevaluation of strategy, nor that philanthropy sees around every corner. They’re asking that you deliver on funding, cut the red tape, and provide air cover—if you’re ready to meet this moment, read on. ?????????? ???????????? ???? ???????? ???????????????????????? ?????????? ???? ????????? ???????? ?????????? ?????? ???????

The backlash and systemic destruction we’re witnessing is because we have been making real inroads. When we look deeper, there's far more momentum for doubling down on commitments to racial equity. While philanthropy doesn’t need to see around every corner to be an activated defender, we cannot ignore the legal landscape. Bookmark this anti-DEI legislation tracker from Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at NYU School of Law which breaks down litigation by issue, by regional circuit, and by relevant law and helps us understand what’s really behind the headlines. Risk is manageable and philanthropy is in a position to take it on. Work with experts to assess the landscape, find the edge of your risk tolerance, and act from there. ?????? ?????? ???????????? ?????? ????????-?????? ?????????????????????? ?????????????? ?????????? ?????? ???????? ???? ?????? ????????????????.

“The fear never goes away, right? But, you get better at managing it and you get bolder, you realize you have people behind you, and you realize the difference you’re making…It’s okay to be afraid, but it’s not okay to do nothing.” – Lyle Matthew Kan, Interim President and CEO of Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP) READI leaders Lyle and Susan Taylor Batten, CEO of ABFE. A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities, sat down with Katie Hong to share stories and insights on how philanthropy is navigating the administration’s efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Thank you to The Giving Practice at Philanthropy Northwest for creating a space to talk about what philanthropy is doing to advance racial equity on the ground. You can listen to this podcast episode via the link in the comments.

Philanthropy: own your influence. The backlash to racial equity and its systemic destruction we’re witnessing is not in spite of all the progress we’ve made, it’s because we have made real inroads—and many Americans agree. We can’t stop now. With the READI Resource Bank, which includes tools and resources for those who want to advance their commitment, we can help you meet this moment. ?????????????? ?????? ?????????????????? ?????????? ??????????: ?? Resources for Accessing Legal Counsel ?? SCOTUS Affirmative Action Decision and Philanthropy ?? SFFA Decision Statements from Black Foundation CEOs ?? Talking Points ?? Understanding the Supreme Court’s SFFA Decisions Check out the READI Resource Bank now: https://lnkd.in/gFrcDCpR

Our civic sector might be up against a full-scale demolition, but philanthropy has the capital, power, and agency to be an organized force against it. Let’s unpack what makes race-explicit grantmaking the most sustainable and effective strategy for philanthropy to protect all Americans. This grantmaking approach utilizes targeted universalism, in which universal goals are set for everyone to do well, but targeted processes are used to achieve those goals for different population groups based on their group experiences. Across issue areas, we see the collective benefit of this targeted approach: ?? ?????????????????? ????????????: Investments in programs designed to close the achievement gap for Black and Latino students, such as early literacy initiatives or culturally responsive teaching, often lead to improvements in overall school performance. Schools with these programs report higher graduation rates and better academic outcomes across racial groups. ?? ???????????????????? ??????????????????????: Programs addressing chronic diseases disproportionately affecting Black communities, such as diabetes or hypertension, have pioneered new care models like community health workers and telehealth services. These innovations, initially designed for marginalized groups, are increasingly adopted in broader healthcare systems, benefiting rural and low-income White communities as well. ?? ????????-?????? ???????????????? ??????????????????: Approaches developed in urban Black communities, such as violence interruption, are now being tested and adapted for rural and suburban White areas experiencing gun-related suicides or interpersonal violence. The lessons learned from these urban programs provide valuable frameworks for intervention in other contexts. Data disaggregation by race helps philanthropy target its resources to those who need them most—and there’s proof that these strategies strengthen our programming for everyone. Are you convinced? Learn more about READI: https://lnkd.in/ej_RHSEt

Our hot take: There’s no merit in playing it safe. For philanthropy, success comes from its flexibility, agility, and risk-taking. These strengths make the sector effective even in the face of threats—including current attacks on race-explicit grantmaking. The goals of these actions and attacks is to instill fear in our movement and paralyze our work, but we have people, power, and resources on our side. READI is a multi-pronged campaign to make clear that a race-explicit philanthropic practice is not only possible but necessary. ????????’?? ?????? ????’???? ?????????? ????: ?? Developing a fund for nonprofits that face legal challenges; ??Providing pro-bono legal support for nonprofits that are challenged because of race-explicit grantmaking or programming; ??In partnership with a legal expert, unpacking the legal landscape for foundations looking to continue their race-explicit work with confidence; ??Developing concrete, practical transformative actions leaders can make within their own organizations to sustain and grow racial equity commitments even in this uncertain time. This is the time to double down and be unapologetic in our support of race-explicit funding. We’re ready to do the hard work of aligning the field in support of racial equity—even when the opponents of equity are determined to put the brakes on progress. ?????????? ???? ?????????? ?????????????????? ?????????? ???? ???????? ?????????????? ???? ???????

READI partner Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP) is joining forces with Chinese for Affirmative Action to launch a three-part ???????????????? ????????????: ???????????????????? ????????-???????????????? ??????????????????????. This series intends to: ??(Re)situate Asian Americans within the broader conversations around civil rights, and affirmative action specifically ??Provide an overview of the current legal landscape with an emphasis on how race conscious programs can still thrive despite the 2023 landmark Supreme Court decision ??Develop tangible, collective actions to support an infrastructure within philanthropy and beyond for race-explicit grantmaking, programs, and policies Register for the upcoming session 2 (and catch the session 1 recording) now: https://lnkd.in/gA3EvPgu?

Attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion are not new. The goal of these attacks is to sideline us, isolate us, and make us unsure of our footing—we can accept those terms, or reject them. READI member Susan Taylor Batten, President & CEO of ABFE. A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities spoke to Refinery29 about equipping the resistance to not only reject these attacks, but proactively organize behind those at the forefront who are pushing back—namely, more often than not, Black-led organizations. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gNkBCYqW